In some cases, Social Security Disability recipients may be required to pay taxes, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). In fact, the SSA estimates that nearly one-third of their recipients are required to pay taxes.
Your benefits are considered taxable if you have significant amounts of income in addition to your Social Security Disability benefits. You are required to pay taxes if:
- You are a single filer, and your income is more than $25,000
- You file a joint return, and your income is more than $32,000
- You are married, filing separately
Your Social Security Disability benefits lawyer can help you determine your filing status and determine if you have to pay taxes on your Social Security Disability income. Your lawyer may also help you determine which type of disability benefits to apply for and what amount of monthly financial assistance you might anticipate receiving.
Determine the Types of Disability Benefits You Qualify For
It is important that you know what program you are applying for when you apply for Social Security Disability benefits. The SSA provides financial support to disabled people through two distinct benefits programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): This program is designed to provide benefits to temporarily or permanently disabled people who have worked long enough and recently enough to qualify for these benefits
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This program is designed to provide financial assistance to people who are older than 65 and who have limited income and resources
If you are not sure which program you should apply for, speak to a disability benefits law firm representative about your qualifications.
Determine Your Anticipated Monthly Disability Compensation
SSA guidelines and the recent cost of living adjustment determine the amount of monthly compensation you may receive for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For the year 2020:
- Eligible individual recipients may receive $783.00 per month
- An eligible couple may receive $1,175.00 per month
With Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the amount you are awarded per month is determined by an SSA formula. If you are approved, you will receive a basic amount of monthly compensation based on the lifetime average of your eligible earnings.
Your disability benefits lawyer may help you estimate how much you might receive in disability benefits. If you want to pursue benefits, they can help you prepare your application or file an appeal if you were already denied benefits.
Include These Items in Your Application for Disability Benefits
Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be complex and time-consuming. You can make the process easier by gathering many of the required documents ahead of time. You may be expected to provide the following to the SSA:
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth
- Proof of citizenship or lawful alien status
- Discharge papers for military service prior to 1968
- W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns
- Medical evidence, records, reports, and test results
- Information on other benefits you receive
SSA officials may request additional paperwork about your personal, medical, and employment information. Gather all the documentation you can and let a member of our team know right away if you need help locating or obtaining anything on the SSA’s list of required documents and evidence.
Our Social Security Disability Benefits Team Works Hard for You
You do not have to navigate the disability benefits process on your own. A member of our team can support you in your fight for disability benefits. Our team will make sure:
- You obtain and complete the required forms
- You have evidence to support your claim
- You avoid time-consuming errors that lengthen the application process
Our legal team can also support you through the four-step appeals process if your initial application for disability benefits gets denied. We can walk with you through the application or appeals process and fight for the disability benefits on your behalf.
Focus on Getting Better and Leave the Rest to Us
Our team wants to support you when you apply for disability benefits or appeal a denied benefits claim. We can also help you determine whether you have to pay taxes on Social Security Disability income and in what amounts.
If you want help navigating the Social Security Disability benefits system, our team is here for you. Contact the client intake team at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers.